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U.S. Transportation (North & South)
Transportation between the North and the South was very fundamental to the success of American agriculture. The North would need the cotton and tobacco from the South, and the South needed crafted factory goods from the North. -
The Louisiana Purchase
In 1803, President Thomas Jefferson purchased the Louisiana Territory from France. It doubled the size of the States at the time.This allowed many new immigrants to the West where they used the fertile land for farming. -
Horse-Drawn Reaper
Cyrus McCormick made one the most significant contributions to the success of the US. He invented the horse-drawn reaper in 1831. -
Plantations
In the Americas, the purchasing of slaves declined around 1790 because Europe could buy sugar and other goods from different British colonies. However, in 1794 a man named Eli Whitney invented the cotton gin which changed the economy of the South. By 1860 cotton had become the most imported good in the United States. -
American Civil War
Before the Civil War up to 60% of Americans farmed, but after the war many were killed. In the forces, up to 58% of all soldiers were farmers. During the war, women took the role of their husbands, fathers, and sons. After the war, may Southern farms were ruined. -
USDA
During the Civil War, Abraham Lincoln created the USDA to conserve and acquire all information about agriculture in order to distribute them among farmers. -
Homestead Act
The Homestead Act of 1862 allowed anyone, mostly farmers, to move out West and claim land which they could settle in. This greatly affected agriculture because not only did it allow more people to have land to farm on but it also lead to future events as a result of people using the farm land. -
Post Civil War Agriculture
The southern States were devastated by the war. Especially since slaves were freed. Plantations were very affected, and laborers weren't inclined to do work at all. -
Barbed Wire
When people began settling in the new Western fields, they found few trees so they had to find an alternative. At first, farmers attempted to use smooth wire to close in their cattle but that didn't seem to work. So, in 1864, Michael Kelly invented the first barbed wire fence. The design was later improved and by the 1870's it was widely used. -
Western Transportation (Railroads)
Since people started moving West, there was a need for transportation between them and the East. The Central Pacific Railroad went from, Sacramento CA to Utah. -
Agricultural Experimental Stations
The 1887 Hatch Act made agricultural experimental stations be connected to every Land Grant university. This act also allowed for scientist to begin experimenting in ways that science could benefit agriculture. -
Agricultural Research (Wheat)
With the help of the new acts allowing for scientists to find ways to enhance many fields of agriculture through research they found a new variant of wheat. This new wheat varieties from Russia made better pasta and better bread. Scientists researched this new variation to help food shortages.
